All The New Economy

One year after the disastrous Facebook IPO, the company is making strides in mobile ad revenue, but its stock price is still far below its original IPO price. Also this week: Consumer sentiment hits six-year high; retail sales rise unexpectedly; and the world has a new (old) richest person. 

The Federal Reserve and the US Treasury are investigating whether Bloomberg reporters used the company's terminals to glean inappropriate information about officials' data use. Just viewing the information can be a felony, under federal law.

The IRS is under fire for the extra scrutiny its workers gave to 'Tea Party' and 'Patriot' groups' applications for tax-exempt status. Plus, the Dow hit a milestone, jobless claims continued to drop, and other news from around the US economy this week. 

The collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh is forcing Western companies to rethink their operations in the South Asian nation. Ethical firms focus on the big picture.  

With the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting the 15000 milestone and economic signals flashing continued growth, the case for bull market optimists looks stronger. But there are reasons to be cautious about a retrenchment of the Dow.

Penny Pritzker is first member of the wealthy family to accept a federal post. President Obama has nominated Penny Pritzker as Commerce secretary.  

Home prices increased by 9.3 percent, their largest annual margin in nearly seven years. But experts warn that a backlog in some markets could keep home prices low for the foreseeable future. 

GDP expanded at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the first quarter. Economists expect slowdown in GDP growth this summer as sequester takes hold, which already delayed air traffic briefly.

GDP flashed 2.5 percent growth in the first quarter: much better than the fourth quarter but below expectations. Economists expect another slowdown in GDP growth for the summer.   

Americans lack the knowledge and confidence to invest, a new survey finds. Here are some resources to get you started in investing. 

New home sales improved again in March. Despite a minor slowdown in existing home sales, analysts are optimistic that the US housing recovery is continuing and that home prices will rise. 

The IRS will shut its doors to the public for five days in the coming months due to federal budget cuts. IRS closure dates and other news from around the economy this week.

A bigger-than-expected drop in jobless claims might mean the employment picture isn't as bleak as thought. But retail sales disappointed, and consumer sentiment is still gloomy.

One in three shareholder resolutions this year deal with companies' political spending and activities. Is it political 'trench warfare' or do shareholders need to know the politics of their companies in the wake of Citizens United decision?

Worst company in America: Why is Electronic Arts in the Final Four for "worst company in America?"

With a 16.2 percent unemployment rate, young Americans are bearing the brunt of the slow recovery. But there are steps they can take to improve their chances of getting hired.

It's an idea that cuts against the grain: Companies would thrive more if they focused on their long-term good rather than delivering a great quarter to their shareholders, some analysts say. 

Consumers are paying their credit card bills on time at record levels and they're paying off more of their balance, according to new credit card data. Delinquenicies are at historic lows.

The economy should continue to add jobs despite the sequester. The jobs report shows the housing recovery bolstering employment. Homeowner optimism is likely to improve, too.

When President Obama proposed raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour, one Virginia business owner decided to do it on the spot.